Terror case doctor 'loves England'

An NHS doctor has denied conspiring to kill hundreds in a terrorist car bomb campaign.

Mohammed Asha, 28, said he loved England and the health service and was totally committed to his medical training.

He is accused of masterminding bombs in London's West End and a suicide car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport along with co-defendant Bilal Abdulla.

Speaking in his defence for the first time, Asha said nothing would make him jeopardise his wife and young son's futures.

The Jordanian-born neurologist trained at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, and was a high-flying doctor at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire when he was arrested last June.

Asha said: "I already had the blueprint of my future before I came here but in my experience here I really accepted the greatness of the health system in this country."

He added: "I know people have complaints about the NHS but, take it from me, it is a great system. I love the country here, I love the way people treat each other here, especially medical training."

Asha's barrister Stephen Kamlish QC told him: "The Crown would have us believe you are a terrorist who would throw it all away."

Asha replied: "I would never jeopardise my family or my wife for anything in the world."

Mr Kamlish told the jury: "He is a pacifist, he is a decent man and he is a man dedicated in an extreme way.

The barrister described the prosecution case against his client as "pure speculation".

Asha and Abdulla deny conspiracy to murder and to cause explosions.

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